Doug Kyle

Doug Kyle was active on the track as a student at the University of Saskatchewan, but his career took off after transferring to the University of British Columbia in 1952. Although he was also involved in rowing at first, he focused on training for long distance runs and by 1954 he was Canadian champion in the 10,000 metres. He made his international début for Canada at the 1954 British Empire and Commonwealth Games, where he competed in the 3 and 6 mile races, but did not finish either. After capturing the 10,000 metres title again in 1956, he was selected to represent Canada at that year’s Melbourne Olympics, where he was eliminated in round one of the 5000 metres and was 23rd in the 10,000 metres. Nonetheless, he was named Canada’s Outstanding Track Athlete of the year.

In 1957, Kyle earned his first of four consecutive national titles in the 5000 metres, while also winning the cross-country and the 10,000 metres and again being named as Canada’s Outstanding Track Athlete. That same year, he also became the US national champion in the 10,000 metres while at the University of Michigan to further his studies in geological engineering. In 1958, he again took part in the British Empire and Commonwealth Games, while in 1959 he took silver and bronze in the 10,000 and 5000 metres respectively at the Pan American Games. This, in addition to reclaiming his Canadian 10,000 metres title, led to his third naming as Canada’s Outstanding Track Athlete and his induction into the Alberta Sports Hall of Fame. In 1960, he again won the 10,000 metres domestically and represented his country in the 5000 and 10,000 metres at the Rome Olympics, being eliminated in round one and coming in 24th respectively.

Kyle was the Canadian cross-country champion again in 1961 and the 10 miles champion in 1962. In 1963, he founded the Calgary marathon, winning the inaugural race, and also captured the national marathon title. He again competed at the Pan American Games, but just missed the podium, placing fourth and fifth in the 5000 and 10,000 metres respectively. His final Canadian title came in cross-country in 1964.

Following his retirement from active competition, Kyle worked as a coach, in addition to his career as an executive with Gulf Oil, and led the track team at the 1967 Pan American Games and the 1968 Mexico City Olympics. He also remained active in the administration of sport, both locally and across Canada, with his achievements leading to his selection as the then-youngest Calgary Sportsman of the Year in 1969. In 2010 he helped carry the torch on its way to the Vancouver Olympics, while in 2011 he was made a member of the UBC Sports Hall of Fame.

Personal Bests: 5000 – 14:12.5 (1960); 10000 – 30:12.6 (1960).